Step 4 (Optional). If the grievance is not settled at Step 3, the Union and the City may agree to engage in a facilitated settlement conference. Either party may initiate a request for a conference within fifteen (15) workdays after the Union receives the Department Head's response at Step 3. This Step will only be used if the party receiving the request agrees in writing within 15 workdays of receiving the request. The settlement conference shall be co-facilitated by the Human Resources Manager, or other designee of the City Manager, and the Secretary Treasurer or their designee. The facilitators will not have authority to compel resolution of the grievance. No transcript or record of the settlement conference will be made. If a settlement is not reached in the settlement conference, or the party receiving the request for a conference declines the request or does not respond, the grievance may be appealed to arbitration in accordance with the procedure in Step 5 below. The confidentiality of the step 4 settlement conference will be treated the same as if the conference were a mediation under RCW 7.07.030.
Step 4 (Optional). If the grievance is not settled at Step 3, the Union and the City may agree to engage in a facilitated settlement conference. Either party may initiate a request for a conference within fifteen (15) work days after the Union receives the Department Head's response at Step 3. This Step will only be used if the party receiving the request agrees in writing within 15 work days of receiving the request. The settlement conference shall be co-facilitated by the Labor Program Manager, or other designee of the City Manager, and the Secretary Treasurer or their designee. The facilitators will not have authority to compel resolution of the grievance. No transcript or record of the settlement conference will be made. If a settlement is not reached in the settlement conference, or the party receiving the request for a conference declines the request or does not respond, the grievance may be appealed to arbitration in accordance with the procedure in Step 5 below. The confidentiality of the step 4 settlement conference will be treated the same as if the conference were a mediation under RCW 7.07.030. Step 4 is a trial grievance step. Therefore, unless the parties agree in writing within sixty days before December 31, 2018 to continue Step 4, it shall sunset on December 31, 2018 and not be considered the status quo for any successor bargaining.
Step 4 (Optional). 1. If the grievance remains unresolved at Step 3 either party may request the opportunity to attempt to resolve the matter through mediation. Such request must be made in writing within seven (7) calendar days of the delivery of the final decision at Step 3 . The other party shall have seven (7) calendar days to respond to such request. If the parties mutually agree to engage in mediation, the time limits for submitting the grievance to arbitration shall be temporarily suspended while the parties attempt to resolve the matter through mediation.
